Milwaukee Family by Plus Publications

COMPLIMENTARY • SPRING 2012 EDITION

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MAGAZINE

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Spring Issue

contents

Special Sections

7..........Taking Care of Teeth 8.............Healthy Pregnancy Features 4......................... Baby Advice 11.............Fun Family Foods 10........Fit Kids, Fit Families 13.........Toddlers & Exercise 16.................Summer Camps 15.................Private Schools 30........College Applications 20.................Sibling Rivalry

Resources

23...............Birthday Parties 24..........................Saying No 26.....................Teen Driving 28..........Finding More Time 32.....Preparing for College 36...........................Calendar

PLUS PUBLICATIONS PUBLISHERS Maureen & Tom Slattery EDITOR Cyndi Strayer ADVERTISING SALES Margo Lehmann ART DIRECTOR Nicole Hesse GRAPHIC DESIGNER Peggy Duffy OFFICE MANAGER Paulette Koeppen 128 Cottonwood Ave. Hartland, WI 53029 Phone: 262.367.5303

www.mymilwaukeelife.com

Cover Photo of baby Allie by Samisha Carson-Olson of Shooting Stars Main Street • Brookfield WI • 53005 • 262-797-0451

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MAGAZINE | SPRING 2012

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care

HANDLE WITH

answers to a bundle of baby questions BY MARYANN BOUCHE

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baby

uestions and babies go together like the snaps on those handy onesies tops. But, of course, when it comes to babies, few things are as simple as those onesies. It doesn’t take long for new parents to realize that a newborn is ever changing. Every baby is different, yet common questions do arise at the doctor’s office. Below are some of the top concerns parents ask two local pediatricians: Angela Baker-Franckowiak, M.D., at the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Plank Road Clinic in Wauwatosa; and Cheryl Dominski, M.D., at the Aurora Advanced Healthcare South 76th Street Clinic in Milwaukee.

FAQS birth to six months Sleeping: “For the first two to three months, babies sometimes do not like to fall asleep lying flat,” notes Dr. Baker. Parents could let the baby sleep strapped into a car seat, portable sleeper with inclined seat, baby swing or bouncy seat, she says. “Some bouncers even have vibration, which can help some babies sleep,” she adds. To keep baby safe, parents need to follow the products’ guidelines regarding weight and age limits. Dr. Baker adds that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to place babies on their backs to sleep and to never use sleep positioners, pillows, stuffed animals, heavy blankets or other soft or puffy items in babies' cribs. Soft bedding can end up over an infant’s face, blocking the child’s breathing. The AAP also does not support sharing a bed, citing the risk for suffocation. “If you want to keep your infant close at night, place the baby in a Pack ‘n Play by the bed,” Dr. Baker suggests. Putting your little one into the crib while awake and drowsy will help the baby learn to fall asleep on his own. “If you rock him until he falls asleep, he will get used to that and it will be hard for him to go back to sleep when waking up during the night,” she says. After a baby is three-to-four months old and definitely by six months, it is okay to let her fuss a bit before falling back asleep to help her learn to self-soothe. But, despite what Grandma may say, you won’t spoil a baby that is under six months by responding to the infant’s cries. Colic: Most babies have some degree of colic between the ages of three weeks and three months. If the baby is fussy, parents can try overthe-counter remedies, such as infant gas drops (simethicone) or gripe water.

“Try holding the baby in different positions,” Dr. Baker says. “Droning sounds, such as a vacuum, soothes some; or buckle the baby into the car seat and place the seat on top of the dryer— that may have just the right amount of vibrations.” Parents sometimes think the baby formula is to blame, but the doctor urges parents not to change formulas without calling their doctor first. “Switching can cause an upset stomach, which will lead to more fussiness. The crying is usually due to colic, not allergies,” she notes. Colic will dissipate as the baby gets older, but until then, a wailing baby can definitely raise a parent’s stress level. Dr. Baker tells parents, “If you’re at wit’s end, put the child down in the crib and step away; do deep breathing or something to relax you. The baby can sense when you are stressed.” Feeding: Recommendations regarding when to introduce solids has changed several times in the past 10 years, Dr. Baker points out. “The newest research showns that four-to-six months is a good time to start solids, but not earlier than four months,” she says. Also, many new moms have breastfeeding questions. Dr. Baker notes that breastfeeding is recommended by the AAP for at least the first year, “but for some mothers, breastfeeding just doesn’t work out for that length of time; any amount of breastfeeding is good.” Spit up and bowel movements: Ah yes, babies are adorable, but they are also messy. Parents should contact their pediatrician if the baby’s spit up is projectile, Dr. Baker says, but otherwise, rest assured that spit up is common for babies, even through the nose. The important thing is that the child is still gaining weight and is not showing signs of discomfort. Parents also have many questions regarding the color of the baby’s bowel movements. “As long as it is not black, bright red or chalk white, it’s okay,” Dr. Baker says. Immunizations: Sometimes parents ask about the safety of the vaccines. Dr. Baker reminds parents that the link to autism has been discredited. “The researcher has admitted he faked the results,” she says. “And it’s safe to give a baby several immunizations in one visit. It’s important to get the vaccines to protect your baby from these diseases.” HANDLE WITH CARE continued on 6

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The AAP reports that research has shown that when multiple vaccines are given together, the side effects are no greater than when given individually. Check with your pediatrician for the proper timing for receiving the various vaccines. Fever: Fever is a common worry with new parents, and if the infant is under three months and has a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you need to tell your doctor right away, she explains. However, after three months, fevers are not as ominous. The AAP notes that the baby’s activity level is a more important indicator of the severity of the illness than the height of the fever. Parents should contact the doctor if the baby is very fussy or sleeping more than usual. Watch for additional symptoms such as a cough, diarrhea, repeated vomiting or an unexplained rash. “And be sure to keep the baby hydrated,” adds Dr. Baker. Wellness checkups during the first six months: Your pediatrician may want to see your little one in the doctor’s office a day or two after leaving the hospital, and when baby reaches two weeks, one month, two months, four months and at six months of age.

FAQs six months to 12 months Feeding: At this stage of development, many questions arise about diet and feeding habits, such as what foods to introduce and when, and when to introduce a sippy cup, says Dr. Dominski. “It’s important to introduce one new food at a time to help pinpoint the cause if there’s a food reaction such as hives, diarrhea or stomach ache,”

she notes. “Also, babies are not ready for finger foods until nine months of age.” When baby is six months old, parents can put water in a sippy cup to introduce cup drinking, but the child won’t be effectively drinking at that age, she adds. Sitting, crawling, walking: The second half of a baby’s first year is dotted with those red-letter days that moms and dads eagerly anticipate. Most babies can sit up unsupported at six months; some may be wobbly until seven months. “If your child is not sitting unsupported by seven months, let your doctor know,” Dr. Dominski advises. Many babies are on the move by crawling at nine months of age, but some little ones don’t like to crawl. Getting around by scooting on their bottoms or bellies are other ways some tykes go mobile. The AAP states that as long as the child is learning to coordinate each side of the body and uses each arm and leg equally, parents need not be concerned. “Walking is so variable,” Dr. Dominski says. “It can happen between nine months and 15 months; if a child is not walking after 15 months, a doctor may do additional testing.” Language and social development: After six or seven months, a baby will imitate the sounds of speech. Parents should repeat simple words and syllables to their little one, such as “baby,” “go,” “hot” and the most popular, “mama” and “dada.” Dr. Dominski says that, “At the nine-month checkup, your doctor will ask if the baby is making syllable sounds, like mama, although the baby wouldn’t really be aware that it’s a word. By 12 months, a child probably HANDLE WITH CARE continued on 7

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Taking Care of Young Teeth

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can say ‘dada’ and ‘mama’, and know what the words mean.” Parents should also note how their baby interacts with familiar faces—a baby should laugh, smile, have good eye contact and be interactive with parents and other family members; sometimes stranger anxiety limits this interaction with the doctor and nurse. Teething: Teething can start at four months; the average age for the first tooth is six months to nine months. Although there is variability when teething occurs, you should let your doctor know if no teeth have appeared by baby’s first birthday, Dr. Dominski says. “For the pain, I don’t recommend the topical painkillers,” she adds, “but if the teething is causing night-time awakening, you could give infants’ Tylenol.” She also suggests trying a cool teething ring that is kept in the refrigerator or a wet washcloth. Illness: Colds are very common at this stage. “Babies often get colds between the ages of six months and eight months because any protection from the mother’s antibodies is gone,” Dr. Dominski explains. Typical symptoms are cough, congestion, runny nose and fever. Parents should call the doctor if the baby is not sleeping or eating well, or has a fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit for more than three days. Regarding ear infections, Dr. Dominski notes that a baby pulling on the ears is not really a good indicator because he may be just playing with his ears, but symptoms to watch for are sleeping problems, eating less or running a fever. Sleeping: “Babies at this age thrive on routine,” Dr. Dominski says, “so do similar activities before bed at the same time each night.” At this age, parents can let the baby cry out a little at night. “Everyone, adults included, wakes up at night,” she says. “The child needs to learn to self-soothe to put himself to sleep. But when cutting a tooth or dealing with a cold, it is harder for the child to fall back asleep.” Wellness checkups from six to 12 months: Well-baby checkups are usually scheduled at six months, nine months and 12 months. By baby’s first birthday, you and your pediatrician have seen that tiny newborn change remarkably, and the highs and lows of becoming a new parent may seem like ages ago. “When a parent is waiting for the baby’s next developmental step to occur, or for a cold to end, I like to remind them that time flies by,” Dr. Dominski says. “Before you know it, the baby will be a teenager and leaving the house for college.”

Healthy teeth and a healthy mouth give children more than just a beautiful smile. A healthy mouth supports overall health, and it can help children perform better in school. But far too many children have preventable oral health problems far too young. Tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of American children two to five years old, and half of children 12 to 15 years old - that's more than any other chronic infectious disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Left untreated, tooth decay causes pain and infection, which can lead to problems in eating, speaking, playing and even learning. There is plenty that parents and caregivers can do to help prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases. First Things First - The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says that children should have their first visit to a pediatric dentist no later than their first birthday. The first tooth usually comes in between six and 12 months of age - schedule an appointment and get started on good oral health care from the beginning. The AAPD says that, in one study, children who saw a dentist before their first birthday had dental costs that were 40 percent lower in the first five years than costs for children who had not seen a dentist by their first birthday. Establish Good Habits - Kids need help establishing good dental care habits. Make sure they brush twice a day, floss every day, follow a healthy diet and visit the dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings. l Using a soft-bristled brush, kids should brush for at least two minutes. Some power toothbrushes have a built-in timer. Before teeth appear, clean baby's gums twice a day with a soft cloth or baby toothbrush and water. l Parents should floss young children's teeth once a day, until they can do a good job themselves, at least until age seven or eight. l Make sure they eat foods with vitamin C, which helps gum tissue stay healthy, and calcium for strong teeth. Be Alert - Watch for signs of oral health problems. Talk to your dentist if you see warning signs such as: l Changes in performance at school - listening, concentrating and learning. l Sucking on cheeks or lips. l Reluctance to smile. l Problems chewing foods. l Problems sleeping. l Aching teeth or gums. You can also talk to your dentist about sealants, which can be applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. Sealants are one more way you can help prevent cavities and keep your kids' smiles healthy and beautiful. For more information about kids' dental health, visit http://ameritasinsight.com/tag/children/. Source: Ameritas

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Pink&Blue

and a healthy you!

The skinny (yeah, right) on the nine months and beyond BY JODY L. MAYERS Google the word “pregnancy” and you’ll fetch a mind boggling two-million-plus results. Enough advise to make your head spin, not to mention the unsolicited advise you’ve probably already been receiving since you spilled the beans about your mini me. Before you throw your hands up in the air and reach for the pickles and ice cream (or in my case, as I, myself, am 12-weeks pregnant, the ahem…salt and vinegar potato chips), Dr. Patrick Sims, OB/GYN of Aurora Health Care discusses the key components of a healthy pregnancy. “I think one of the most common pitfalls women fall into when they find out they’re pregnant is the notion they need to eat for two right away,” he said. “They oftentimes use the pregnancy as an excuse to eat more than they should.” In fact, according to Mamashealth.com, normalweight women only require an extra 300 calories each day during the last six months of pregnancy. This totals about 1,900 to 2,500 calories a day. Dr. Sims said some women don’t feel well throughout their pregnancy and may use eating as a substitute to make them feel better. “I would like to see an overall weight gain of 20-30 pounds with a majority of the weight gain coming from the 20-40 week mark of the pregnancy,” Dr. Sims said. Three-quarters of pregnant women are affected by morning sickness during the first trimester and about half of all pregnant women suffer from both nausea and vomiting, according to babycenter.com. PINK & BLUE continued on 9

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Dr. Sims said there are things you can do to help with this common aspect of pregnancy. He suggests keeping a snack by the bedside and eating it before you even get out of bed, and he said taking natural supplements such as vitamin D6 can also help control the symptoms. And according to Dr. Sims, women should stay focused on staying hydrated throughout the day and not beating themselves up if they don’t get enough calories in for the day. “I think many people feel guilty if they miss a meal, but the body has internal mechanics,” he explained. Other key components of maintaining a healthy pregnancy are keeping all prenatal appointments, seeking education about labor, pain control and the danger signs of pregnancy Dr. Sims said. “Also women need to follow habits to avoid exposure to toxoplasmosis,” he said. Toxoplasmosis is a rare but serious blood infection that can be contracted by eating infected, undercooked meat, contaminated fruit or vegetables or exposure to cat feces. Dr. Sims said safe practices throughout the pregnancy include not changing the litter box if you have a cat in the house, wearing gloves if you work in the garden and warming up deli meats to avoid Listeria, a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Just as pregnancy might be an excuse for some women to eat more, it might be an excuse to skip exercise. However, Dr. Sims said all low risk pregnancies should involve some type of low-impact physical activity. “The key is to make sure you are able to have a conversation during the workout with the person next to you and to make sure you are not bleeding or contracting during exercise,” he said. Pick your poison; virtually all exercise whether you can bend like a Gumbee doll during yoga or enjoy pumping iron, it is fair game while pregnant. Dr. Sims said as long as you remember the key points, your exercise regiment doesn’t need to change all that much when you’re pregnant. We’ve all heard the phrase age is just a number, but is this true when it comes to pregnancy? Dr. Sims said there is no age when the risks magically change, although advanced maternal age is considered 35 when the mom-to-be will deliver. “These patients are offered more invasive testing because the chance of finding something on tests such as an Amniocentesis and Chorionic villus sampling (used to detect abnormalities) is greater than actually creating a problem from the testing such as a miscarriage,” he explained.

Dr. Sims said all women with a low risk pregnancy should be taking an over-the-counter or prescribed prenatal vitamin, a DHA Omega supplement (which studies have shown may aid in brain development for the baby) and 400 MCG of Folic Acid. Women tend to pour so much energy and time into their pregnancies and the baby once he or she is delivered that taking care of themselves sometimes gets put off the list of priorities, but that shouldn’t be the case, he cautioned. “Women forget about themselves and their relationship with their partner,” Dr. Sims said. “They need quality time away from the baby and need to take care of their own needs such as exercising, spending time with friends in a situation where they don’t have direct responsibility for the baby.” Dr. Sims said it is also important to try catching up on sleep, if and when possible. He said most women experience some tears or sadness after the baby is born called postpartum blues; 90 percent of women experience the blues to a greater or lesser degree, the thing that differentiates it is the severity. “Signs can include frequent episodes of feeling down, worthless, hopeless or helpless, not wanting to care for the infant or oneself, not wanting to leave the house or maintaining the house,” he said. “These can all be signs of a potentially more severe form of the blues called postpartum depression.” Dr. Sims said speaking with a health care provider about these feelings is a start; oftentimes the OB/GYN is the first line of contact. “These women can seek support from friends and family, counseling from the OB or therapist, and we can also treat postpartum depression with medication,” he said. There are also natural ways to combat depression including asking for support from the spouse, family and friends and exercise beyond the six-week period after birth. Sims said while home-births are on the rise and may sound appealing to many women because of cost-effectiveness or lack of intervention, he still believes hospitals are the safest place to deliver your bundle of pink or blue. “A lot has changed when it comes to births in the past 25 years, I try to be an advocate for all my patients,” he said. “I am open to birth plans and try to provide a welcoming environment during deliveries. We involve spouses, family and friends as much as we can.” Cheers (with apple juice or milk, of course) to a healthy nine months and beyond!

300-CALORIE snacks Here are some 300-calorie snacks to consider: A One medium apple and one cup of low fat or fat free

F A small whole wheat tortilla with 1/3 cup of melted

non-flavored yogurt with a tablespoon of 100% fruit jam for flavor. B One cup of vanilla ice cream or fruit sorbet, topped with a teaspoon of chocolate sprinkles. C One hard-boiled egg sliced on a piece of whole wheat toast. You can add a thin layer of low fat mayo. D Raw vegetables (celery, tomatoes, carrots, kohlrabi) dipped in ½ cup of homemade humus. E One banana and 1 tbsp of natural peanut butter and a small handful of raisins.

G Six cups of air popped popcorn sprinkled with ¼

low fat cheese. cup Parmesan cheese. H A ½ cup of shredded or cubed chicken breast on top of a bed of salad greens (1 cup). I A ½ cup of low fat cottage cheese with a ½ cup of fruit (apples, pears, melon, grapes). J Three 100-calorie pack snacks spread out through out the day. Source: http://medsavailable.com/articles/healthysnacks-for-pregnant-women

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BY CYNDI STRAYER

There has been and continues to be increased concern on the state of our children’s health in this country, particularly the issue of being overweight and obesity. And there should be concern, especially since obesity now affects 17 percent of all children and adolescents in the United States. That is triple the rate from just one generation ago.

Why is childhood obesity such a big concern, and why is this happening? Being overweight has serious and harmful effects on the body. Overweight children are more likely to have: · High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. · Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. · Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and asthma. · Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort. · Fatty liver disease, gallstones and gasto-esophageal reflux (i.e. heartburn). · A greater risk of social and psychological problems, such as discrimination and poor self-esteem, which can continue into adulthood. Childhood obesity seems to be on the rise because our children, and often times ourselves, are consuming too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. Our society adds to this issue by promoting less healthy foods and physical inactivity. In the past, our children walked to and from school every day, ran around at recess, participated in gym class and played for hours after school before dinner. Meals were home-cooked with reasonable portion sizes and there was always a vegetable on the plate. Eating fast food was rare and snacking between meals was an occasional treat. Today, children experience a very different lifestyle. Walks to and from school have been replaced by car and bus rides. Gym class and after-school sports have been cut; afternoons are now spent with TV, video games, the Internet, Ipods and cellphones. In fact, eight to 18 year old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media. And with parents being busier than ever, families eat fewer home-cooked meals. Snacking between meals is now FIT KIDS continued on 11

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For a lot of busy moms, it seems that kids’ activities dominate the family calendar. Between school, soccer practice, ballet rehearsal and everything in between, sometimes you need to have a plan of attack for keeping the family satisfied. Eating right goes a long way to giving everyone the energy they need to fuel all those activities, but it can be tricky coming up with new ideas for meals and snacks the kids will actually eat. Blogger Meagan Francis, from The Happiest Mom, shares a few of her ideas for satisfying hungry kids and keeping them going throughout the busy day.

A Quick breakfast bites Wrap up the first meal of the day in a tortilla with scrambled egg burritos. If you’re in a hurry, they can be a great on-the-go breakfast. Make a fruit smoothie or a toasted whole grain English muffin with peanut butter and no-sugar-added jelly. Skip the sugar-bomb-in-a-bowl cereal and go for whole grain cereal with strawberry or banana slices.

B Stock up on easyto-cart snacks

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commonplace. On average, only one-third of high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity. Forty years ago, kids ate just one snack a day, whereas now they are trending toward three snacks, resulting in an additional 200 calories a day. And one in five school-age children has up to six snacks a day. Portion sizes have also exploded- they are now two to five times bigger than they were in years past. Our consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has also grown. In the mid-1970s, the average sugar-sweetened beverage was 13.6 ounces compared to today, where kids think nothing of drinking 20 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages at a time. All this adds up to the fact that we are now eating 31 percent more calories than we were forty years ago–including 56 percent more fats and oils and 14 percent more sugars and sweeteners. The average American now eats fifteen more pounds of sugar a year than in 1970. FIT KIDS continued on 12

Fat free pretzels dipped in peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter) is a creamy, crunchy snack that gives kids a little protein to fuel their afternoon activities. Let the kids help make a custom blend of homemade trail mix using their favorite ingredients. Try walnuts, almonds, yogurt covered raisins, sunflower seeds and mini chocolate chips. A delicious, low fat – and fun to eat – portable snack, string cheese pleases just about every kid. Be prepared with snacks that are easy to eat in the backseat. Meagan likes to pack Heinz® Dip & Squeeze® Ketchup to pair with snacks. This which holds three times more ketchup than traditional packets. You can buy them in a 10-pack box at the grocery store. They’re easy to toss into your purse or the glove compartment and a great nomess solution that little fingers can manage. Find more kid-friendly food tips at: https://www.facebook.com/HeinzKetchup.

C Pack some lunchbox fun Stuff it – Fill pita pockets with their favorite chicken salad, low-sodium deli meat, or peanut butter and a banana. Dip it – Give them finger foods to dip, like apples and peanut butter; baby carrots and ranch or yogurt dip; or even oven fries and homemade chicken nuggets with Heinz® Dip & Squeeze Ketchup. Kids can either peel back the lid to dip, or rip off the top to squeeze. Build it – Let them build their lunch by packing the ingredients in separate baggies or containers. Try a stacker with crackers, cheese and deli slices. Photo courtesy of Getty Images MAGAZINE | SPRING 2012

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Helping Families Change These Statistics While most of us have heard about First Lady Michelle Obama and her mission to change these statistics with her “Let’s Move” program. Locally, Aurora, along with the YMCA, is also working to help children and families make healthier choice with its Fit Kids, Fit Families program. Mary Kurkiewicz, RN and coordinator for the Waukesha Fit Kids, Fit Families program, says the idea of the program is to help families make healthier choices. “We just want to help people, to give them the tools to set realistic goals and empower them. We want to motivate them to become good stewards of their own health,” said Kurkiewicz. This multidisciplinary program focuses on the prevention and treatment of childhood weight concerns by bringing together families, the YMCA, schools, public health officials and the American Diabetes Association. The program’s goals are to improve children’s nutritional status, enhance children’s self-esteem, increase children’s activity levels and to create lifelong healthy habits. Using a team of registered nurses, dieticians and exercise specialists, this program is designed to improve family eating and activity behaviors through instruction, planning and monitoring changes and progress. The program specifically emphasizes nutrition, eating behavior and physical activity, all while using the S.M.A.R.T. goal method: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound, to promote a feeling of self efficacy through the accomplishment of small goals. This builds confidence in achieving long-term behavioral change, which is necessary to become a successful self manager of eating and activity behaviors. “The short-term goals of the program never include weight loss, it’s about maintenance,” said Kurkiewicz. “It is a lifestyle change, and we are here to help kids and their families realize that these changes won’t happen overnight.” Kurkiewicz stressed that a big part of the program addresses behavior as well as the role of the parents in their children’s health. “One thing we stress is the importance of family meals. This is a sacred time for families. A time to bond.” Fit Kids, Fit Families also addresses the feeding relationship. “The idea behind this is addressing the parents’ role of being the gatekeeper. The one incharge of what’s being brought into the home,” said Kurkiewicz. “We also encourage parents to be role models by trying new things and watching what they eat in-between meals, etc.” The foundation for parents involved in the program becomes Plan, Prepare and Provide. “One thing we discourage in controlling issues with food,” said Kurkiewicz, “Is for example, a parent should never say, ‘Why aren’t you eating your vegetables?’ or ‘If you don’t eat then no dessert.’ If you try to control children with food, children will do the opposite.” When it comes to talking about eating behavior, Kurkiewicz says the program spends a great deal of time on talking about what is normal eating; it also discusses what disordered eating looks like as well, such as eating in a chaotic manner, fasting, binging, skipping meals, undereating, overeating and eating without paying attention to what the body

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wants and needs. “We also talk a lot about feelings and emotional eating,” says Kurkiewicz. “Goal setting is foundational to our program,” she said, “because it helps us measure our success. Setting goals teaches kids that it’s natural to relapse. We then also teach these kids how to forgive themselves and get back on the program. We spend a whole lesson on this.” Fit Kids, Fit Families is designed for children between the ages of six and 17 years old. It is intended for children and their families who have weight concerns and are motivated to make lifestyle changes that will result in overall wellness. It consists of group meetings that are held one night weekly consecutive weeks. The fitness portion of the program is presented in a fun, non-pressured way. The goal is to not only have the children increase their physical activity, but to enjoy it. The exercise specialists help participants try new activities and encourage them to interact with the rest of the group. There are no extreme fitness regimens used in the program. The Fit Kids, Fit Families program was developed seven years ago by Heidi Anderson, and it began at the West Bend YMCA and the Hartford Aurora. She is the coordinator for Washington County. The program was then duplicated in Waukesha County four years ago. And the goal is to go Aurora-wide with the program in the future.

Fit Kids, Fit Fam ilies runs four times a year in summ er, fall, winter an d spring. If you ar e interested in th e Waukesha Cou nty program, ca ll Mary Kurkiewicz at Au rora Health Car e at (262) 896-6262 or (262) 490-43 18 . For the Washington Cou nty program co ntact Heidi Anderson at (2 62) 673-2300.

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Young Children

NEED EXERCISE, too! BY KIM SEIDEL Cardio is not only for adults. With the growing childhood obesity problem, it’s important to get your older baby and toddler up and active. It’s easy to do, as young children are naturally motivated to move. A child’s wonder years begin in toddlerhood, says Karen Ronney, an award-winning national coach, author and the mother of three children. “No longer helpless infants or babies, toddlers are ready, willing and able to begin playing activities and sports games that will build a strong foundation of health, coordination, balance and fitness,” says Ronney, author of Proud Parents’ Guide to Raising Athletic, Balanced and Coordinated Kids. “It’s never too early to show kids how to maintain healthy hearts, minds and bodies.” Toddlers thrive on trying more advanced fine and gross motor challenges. They like activities that engage eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, strength, flexibility, speed, visual development, depth perception and spatial awareness, Ronney says.

Following are some simple guidelines to get your toddler moving: l Total exercise to 30 minutes. Children ages two and older should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day, says Dr. Rebecca Unger, a pediatrician. “The good news is that this amount of physical activity can be additive over the course of the day,” she says. For young children, the physical activity can include both lifestyle exercise, such as walking up stairs, walking to do errands, helping with gardening and doing other recreational activities, such as swimming, dancing and playing a toddler-friendly sport or game. Less structured activities count, including dancing to music in the house, running around the yard and playing at the playground. “Children can engage in the activities all at once or in several different stints, such as for 10 to 15 minutes at a time,” Dr. Unger says. EXERCISE continued on 14

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There’s no need to worry about formal exercise sessions for your toddler, says Dr. Susan Joy, who specializes in sports health. Toddlers generally like to be active, so allow them time to free play, walk and run around.

l Be a good role model. To encourage physical activity, the most important moves parents can make for toddlers is to be active themselves. “Children of active parents are much more likely to be active,” Dr. Joy says. “Children of obese parents are much more likely than children of healthy weight parents to grow up to be obese.” Childhood overweight and obesity rates are dramatically increasing. “Being a good role model in terms of exercise, physical activity and healthy eating is vitally important to your child’s future health,” she says. “Exercise can even offer special time for you to spend with your child and allow you to bond with him or her doing things like walking and yoga.”

l Limit computer and TV time. Along with role modeling active behavior, experts agree limiting television and computer time for toddlers is vital to maintaining an active lifestyle. This keeps sedentary behaviors from creeping into their daily routine. “Encourage their natural tendency to be on-the-go by creating a safe, supervised environment and above all, stay active with them,” Dr. Joy says.

l Compliment your child.

When playing with young children “timing is everything,” Ronney says. A well-rested and recently fed child is most receptive to learning and play. Keep more structured play sessions to 10 minutes or less. “Kids love to play fun games that are in keeping with their short attention spans,” she says. “Also, limit explanations of the game to about 10 words in 10 seconds. Better yet, talk while you demonstrate and get right to the business of child’s play.” Also during game play, Ronney suggests using positive words of encouragement to compliment a child’s efforts. This will help a child develop a love of learning and fitness and positive self-esteem.

l Reap the benefits. Toddlers gain many of the same benefits from exercise that active adults do. These advantages include a healthy weight to height proportion, prevention of cardiovascular problems and a reduced chance of diabetes and cancer in their later years. “Children who start ahead by being fit toddlers have a great opportunity to become fit teens and adults,” Ronney says. “The more children are exposed to fun, physical challenges in the first six years, the greater chance for brain and body development, which will lead to success in athletics, academics, music and artistic activities in the elementary, middle and high school years.” Kim Seidel is an award-winning writer and editor, wife and mother of two daughters in Wisconsin.

Simple Games for Toddler Physical Fitness BY KIM SEIDEL Try out these easy, low-cost games to play with your toddler from Karen Ronney, an award-winning national coach, author and the mother of three children. Bottle Bowling: Collect up to 10 empty, 2-liter soda bottles. Fill with sand or water. Use a playground ball about four inches in diameter. Make sure the ball is small enough for your child to hold in one hand. Play a game of bowling by knocking down the pins. Basketball Trash Pick Up: Take an empty household trash can and paper to be scrunched into balls. Have the child aim to get the paper into the trash from varying distances. Hallway Soccer: Place a laundry basket on its side at the end of a hallway. The opening faces your child to resemble a soccer goal. Have the child kick the inflatable ball into the basket at varying distances. Bubble Tennis: Blow bubbles into the air and encourage your child to hit them with the fly swatter. Count the number of bubbles that make contact with the fly swatter. Big Bunny Hops, Standing Long Jumps: Have your child pretend to be a bunny rabbit and leap forward in a very long jump. Begin in a balanced position with feet close together. Have them swing arms and then forward as they jump ahead. Measure the distance. Dog Dancing: Pretend to be a dog and walk or dance on all fours to fun music. Make wacky moves with the torso, arms and legs while balancing on all fours. Giraffe Steps, Long Lunges: Pretend to be a giraffe and walk with a tall neck and long lunging steps. Walk with a tall back, neck and head. Hold each giraffe step and lunge for about two seconds to strengthen muscles. Heel and Toe-On the Line You Go: Have your child walk barefooted in a heel-toe motion along a chalked or taped line. Create a variety of patterns on the ground, such as a straight line, a T-formation, zigzag, squares or triangles. When it becomes easy, have them try it with their eyes closed.

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SPRING 2012

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MISUN

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BY CYNDI STRAYER When it comes to private schools, people tend to have certain thoughts about them that tend to be untrue. Here are some common misconceptions: 1. PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE FOR RICH KIDS. While that may have been true 60 years ago, today private schools are more about championing diversity. 2. THEY ARE EXPENSIVE. When compared to the cost of educating students in public schools, some private schools actually seem inexpensive. Private schools receive no state or local funding, existing only on tuition and donations. And most private schools also have financial aid programs available for families who may need it. 3. THEY ARE EXCLUSIVE. The only exclusive schools that exist any more are religious schools, which tend to require families and students to sign a profession of faith and adherence to the church’s particular religious practices and beliefs. 4. THEY ARE UNREGULATED. Private schools, like public schools, are regulated by the state’s education department and must comply with regulations concerned with minimum hours and so on. 5. THEY ARE ONLY FOR STUDENTS OF A CERTAIN FAITH. While many private schools began as church schools, most of them have an open door policy regarding students of other faiths. However, many still require students to attend mass or chapel. 6. THEY ARE BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. When you compare public and private schools, they are very similar in most respect excepts, one: class size.

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YOUR CHILDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

NEEDSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Do they have special needs or a health concern? What does your child like (athletics, art, music, etc.)? Would your child do better at a small or large camp?

FAMILY VACATION

PLANSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; You want to make sure there are no conflicts between camp and your family trip to the beach or national park. Although it may hardly feel like spring in most areas of the country, this is still the time when many parents start signing their children up for summer camps. Whether you are considering a day camp or a sleep away camp, your top priorities probably include camp certification and safety, but here are a few other things to consider:

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BUDGETâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Knowing how much money you can spend for camp allows you to narrow down the list of possible camps for your child. You should also be aware that some camps offer scholarships for camps for children in need.

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SPRING 2012

MAGAZINE

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CAMPS SUMMER

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MAGAZINE | SPRING 2012

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SUMMER

CAMPS

Finally, when deciding what camp is best for your child, try to:

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SPRING 2012

MAGAZINE

1. Visit the camp in person ahead of time. 2. Talk to other parents and children who are familiar with the camp you’re interested in for your child. Word-of-mouth is one of the greatest resources for parents. 3. Talk to the camp’s director. This person sets the tone for the camp, especially since he or she is the one who hires the staff and is responsible for how the camp is run. 4. Ask questions. Some important questions to ask include: n What is the child-to-staff ratio? n Do you do background checks on the staff? n What is your safety policy? n Can my child come home if he or she wants to?

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A PLACE TO GROW 2012 YMCA DAY CAMP Where are your kids spending their summer? Register Today! To start planning your summer, visit ymcamke.org/daycamp, stop by your local Y, or call 414-276-9622 for a free Summer 2012 YMCA Day Camp Brochure. The Y has overnight camps too!

YMCA Day Camps are safe, state licensed, tax deductible and qualify for 多H[ VSHQGLQJ GROODUV

Full Day Programming for 4-15 year olds Over 35 different specialty camps offered

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414-276-YMCA Visit us at: ymcamke.org/daycamp MAGAZINE | SPRING 2012

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IDEL BY KIM SE 20

SPRING 2012

MAGAZINE

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he funny thing about sibling rivalry is that when your children argue, they're not just fighting over the TV remote or the last slice of pie. These rivalries run deeper than that. "Ultimately, sibling arguments are not about toys or TV or who got more gifts: Siblings argue because they are trying to find their own place in the family," says Heidi Smith Luedtke, a personality psychologist who specializes in personal development, people skills and parenting. "Sibling arguments are a reflection of kids' feelings about who is more important, who has control and who gets more attention from parents. "When kids perceive they got less time, attention or respect from parents, they fight, says Luedtke. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And when they feel less important, or 'lower' than their sibling, they fight." Heather Kempskie, co-author of The Siblings' Busy Book, echoes Luedtke's findings. "Beneath the surface of arguments, what siblings truly are competing for is their parent's time, attention and resources," she says. "It's a battle that begins early and lasts a lifetime." Kempskie and her co-author, Lisa Hanson, who is also her identical twin sister, found a daunting statistic: Siblings can be meaner to each other than they are to a friend by 700 percent. Yes, you read correctly--700 percent! "That's because a sibling will be around forever, and friends wouldn't put up with that," Kempskie says.

l Parents hear similar disagreements in their own homes "Siblings often argue when they don't want to share toys or when they can't get along in their shared space - like a playroom, bedroom or living room," Luedtke says. "They may struggle over who gets to choose the next TV show or whose piece of cake is bigger. They may claim parents always take the other sibling's side or that parents always go to one child's games or that parents buy more goodies for one child than the other."

l When to intervene It may ease your mind to know that sibling rivalry, from short arguments to long shouting matches, are normal. Sibling rivalry is a natural and positive part of your children's lives. According to some experts, kids ages three to seven years old engage in some kind of conflict 3.5 times an hour, Kempskie says. "It's normal to want to level the playing field, but parents need to help kids develop skills they need to stick up for themselves, rather than doing it all for them," Kempskie says. As a fight escalates, parents should certainly step in when one or all of the siblings are too young to verbalize their feelings or come up with a solution to a problem. It's also important to intervene whenever the children's safety is in question, according to Kempskie.

If no safety issues are involved, parents can sit back and watch for a while, Luedtke advises. "Explain that you are confident that they can come up with a fair and reasonable solution," she says. If nothing changes in five to 10 minutes, Luedtke says, start asking questions: "What is the problem?" (Give each child a chance to answer.); "What could you do to solve the problem?" and "What can I do to help you with that?" If kids can't find an equitable solution, you may have to issue a directive, Luedtke continues. These directives may be giving the toy or TV a time out, sending kids to separate rooms or creating a sharing system (child No. 1 gets three turns, then child No. 2 takes three turns, etc.). "During a calm family time, talk to your children and make it clear that bossiness, yelling and fighting will have a consequence," Kempskie says. "Remind them of what you expect from them. Good behavior includes using manners, not arguing, talking nicely to each other and doing something without being asked." SIBLINGS continued on 22

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SIBLINGS continued from 21

l Help siblings be friends Although a home may seem constantly chaotic with arguing, parents can help their children build solid relationships with one another. "One of the best practices is to institute the 'no compare' rule," Kempskie says. "Try to never compare your children. Encourage their uniqueness and let them know how special they are to you." Parents need to try to "stay above the fray," Luedtke says. "Parents should be careful not to take sides in sibling squabbles. "Emphasize the importance of respect and civility. Siblings will not always agree with one another. Kids need to know that it's okay to get angry, but it isn't okay to speak in a rude and hostile tone. Name calling isn't acceptable either." Another way to improve family relationships is for parents to spend time alone with each child on a regular basis. Oneon-one time is a great way to lessen competition for your time, Kempskie says. In addition, the child gets a chance to express their feelings and have a private conversation with dad or mom, Luedtke says. "Get to know your kids as individuals, not just as siblings," Luedtke says. "When kids feel they are treated as individuals, they are less likely to feel rivalry over parents' attention and affection." Parents need to do a realistic assessment of their own behavior. "It's entirely possible parents are playing favorites, even if they aren't aware that they're doing it," Luedtke says. "Parents may feel a greater need to protect a younger sibling's interests because they believe the younger sibling can't stick up for himself or herself. Or they may intervene in favor of a shy or silent child if they believe the aggressive child has the upper hand."

l Benefits of rivalry "When they fight over possessions, tease each other and even when they are getting along, they are learning valuable life lessons," Kempskie says. These lessons include: how to socialize, negotiate, stand up for themselves, find their strengths and weaknesses and figure out productive ways to handle feelings. Kempskie and her twin believe that siblings are a gift. "We share a history with our siblings," she says. "They are the ones we can remember fond childhood memories with. They are the ones that stick up for us when we really need a true friend. They are the ones that we will grow old with. Siblings are the longest relationship many of us have in our lifetime." Kim Seidel is a Wisconsin-based writer with two schoolaged daughters who constantly fight and make up.

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Birthday Party BY CYNDI STRAYER Birthday parties can be both a blessing and a curse. For the child, it is a blessing. For the parents, sometimes a birthday party can be a curse (at the very least, it can become a hassle trying to figure out what to do and who to invite). For the first couple of birthdays it is usually quite simple. The first birthday is all about friends and family, especially since the child has no idea what is really going on. And by the second birthday, the child is just starting to understand the idea behind presents and special occasions. Because of this, as a parent, you may want to expand the guest list a bit to include a couple of parents you regularly see during play groups or at daycare. Your child may even have a favorite friend or two, so invite them as well. However, when your child turns three years old, everything changes in relation to having birthday parties. As some say, "The madness begins." Children suddenly begin talking about what presents they want, what they want on their cake and they definitely have their favorite friends. This is when the guest list, party theme, location, cost and the question of gift bags become complicated. Here are some general rules of party planning that may help.

D THE GUEST LIST A good rule is to never distribute invitations at school or day care unless you are planning to invite every child. If you are selecting just a few, then mail the invitations directly to the people you are inviting. You could also use an online invitation. And if you were invited and attended another child's birthday party then it is proper etiquette to return the invitation to your own child's birthday party.

D THE FOOD

to serve guests, have your party in the mid-afternoon and simply provide cake and snacks. And if the kids are young and still need naps, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good idea to start the party at 11:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. to avoid crabby, tired guests. With this age group, it is also better to keep the party under two hours for other obvious reasons.

D LOCATION AND ACTIVITIES With both real estate and birthday parties, it is all about the location. Where the party takes place depends on what the child wants to do. If your child wants to roller skate, bowl, rock climb or go to a movie or a comedy show (such as Comedy Sportz) then you go to that location for the party. This can be an advantage for the parents, while it may cost more, having a party at another birthday party location takes away the set up, the food and the clean up. This is great for busy parents and the kids have fun. Can you have a great party at home? Of course, you can with some planning and preparation. There are also a number of websites out there that have birthday party ideas that include ideas for all ages, including teens. Party Themes can be based on Princesses, Pirates, Cupcake Wars, Movie Stars, Dance Party, Sleepovers, etc. However, whatever the party theme, activities are important. You may decide to rent a Jump House, have a piĂąata or hire a magician. One thing is for sure, kids need to have structure and to keep busy.

D CREATIVE PLANNING A great party simply needs some planning. Sitting down for a few hours and planning the big day can do wonders for your stress level and the quality of the party experience. Discuss with your child what ideas he or she has and then get busy and start partying--at least party planning.

You don't have to go to a great deal of fuss or spend a lot of money to make your guests happy. Kids love anything they can dip, so veggie sticks and ranch dip are always good, and you can't go wrong with apple slices and caramel dip. Cheese and crackers and sliced fruit can also go over quite well with the kids. Some other great food ideas that both please your guests and fill them up include: pizza delivered from a good local pizzeria; having a barbecue with grilled hot dogs, hamburgers or chicken; try a deli plate with a variety of breads, cheeses, sandwich meats and other toppings; a taco bar or serve homemade food such as lasagna or pasta. As for the cake, instead of the grocery store cake, cupcakes are a great option. And if your child and his or her friends are old enough (and you are brave enough), allow the kids to decorate their own cupcakes. By doing this, it becomes an activity as well as their dessert. You could also make a pan of brownies and put a candle in it. The kids don't mind and they love brownies.

D TIME OF DAY The age of your child and how much responsibility you want to assume will help determine when your party will take place. For example, if you have the party at lunch or dinnertime, then a meal is expected. If you don't want MAGAZINE | SPRING 2012

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to teens

BY LISA GRANT

Teenagers and dogs have at least one thing in common: They both live in the moment. The teenage brain may be the same size as yours, but the self-regulatory centers that govern judgment and impulsivity have yet to reach maturity. This results in difficult exercising control and delaying gratification. In other words, if you wave a treat in front of a puppy, then set it down in front of him, he will not hesitate to indulge. It’s not that much different with teenagers. That means you, mom and dad, will have to say “no” occasionally. Just to warn you up front, “no” is the most hated word in a teenager’s vocabulary. They don’t like to say it, and even more so, they don’t like to hear it. Some parents eventually end up banning this word from their own vocabularies because of the inevitable reaction from their teens. It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a tactful and effective way to pull this off and keep the peace.

An immediate “no” will spark the fireworks right away. Even if you think you know the answer to your teen’s request, take the time to really listen. Ask questions and request details. This not only shows you are interested in your son’s or daughter’s life, it also teaches your teenager to think things through before they ask for permission. Take some time to consider the request, and if you need to say “no,” explain why. SAYING NO continued on 25

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SAYING NO continued from 24

No matter what your teen says or does, keep your cool. Do not respond to insults, accusations or temper tantrums. Walk away if necessary, offering to talk about it later.

If possible, avoid using your authority as the parent as the only explanation for turning them down. Address concerns by pointing out possible consequences in the form of a question. For example, “Have you thought about what might happen if something goes wrong?”

Consistency and respect are the keys to maintaining a peaceful home when saying “no” to your teenager. In turn, your son or daughter will learn effective communication skills. I promise that there will come a day when you will be spared the grief of having to say “no.” Lisa Grant is a Wisconsin-based freelance writer and mother of three who is good at saying “no.”

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Unless the request may lead to physical or moral peril, ask for or offer alternatives.

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Are you able to give your teenager the car keys with confidence? All too often, news headlines tell of another teen killed in a car crash. It is estimated that 35 percent of teen casualties are due to vehicular driving accidents, making it the leading cause of death among teenagers in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Through their participation in a high school program called Project Ignition, thousands of young people have stood up to this statistic and worked tirelessly to change the driving behaviors of their peers and broader communities. If you have a teen driver in your family who you want to help become safer on the road, here are some tips from students in Project Ignition:

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FOpen the lines of communication Talk with your teen about distracted driving. Make sure you both understand what things are dangerous distractions. Listen to your teen. Ask about what it’s like being in the car with other teens, and what distractions there are to handle.

FOffer support Encourage your teen to use his or her voice. Role-play with your teen so that he can become comfortable saying things like, “We both want to live, so let me answer your phone or text while you drive.” Help your teen get involved with programs at school like Project Ignition, so that she can be a positive example and make an impact.

FSet rules Set family ground rules for texting and calling while driving. Your teen needs to know you have high expectations, and what the consequences will be if the rules aren’t followed. Know where your teen is going, who he will be with and what time he is expected home.

FBe a positive example Model the behavior you want your teen to exhibit. If the phone rings while you’re driving, don’t answer it. Encourage your teen to answer your phone or text, allowing you to drive more safely. Speak up about distracted driving to your friends and peers in front of your teen driver. Help set an example, spread the word and save lives. Photo courtesy of the National Youth Leadership Council

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Keys to Finding

MORE TIME BY KIM SEIDEL

If one of your goals involves getting more organized so you have more time for your family, you’re not alone. Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken and others show that more than 50 percent of Americans have vowed to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. The good news is that with advice from experts and some personal motivation, it’s not too difficult to carve out more time for those you care about most. Following are a few of the ideas I’ve found most helpful from a variety of authors and professional organizers. Browse through these practices and consult books and websites to determine which style best matches your current situation. Sometimes, it’s a combination of strategies that you will find works most effectively for you and your family.

1. Determine priorities Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

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What I like best about Morgenstern’s famous work is that she counsels people to reflect on their unique personalities and situations, before tackling organization and time management. And sometimes as parents, we just need to take it one day at a time, hour-by-hour or even minute-by-minute on more challenging days. One of the biggest causes of a scattered schedule is not being sure of your goals and priorities, according to Morgenstern. If one of your priorities is to spend more time with your family on weeknights, for example, you may reconsider a volunteer request or another sports activity for your child. Morgenstern’s strategy for time management involves scheduling core activities to accomplish your goals and to set your priorities. Some typical areas for a married working mother to add on her calendar include time for self, family, work, relationships, finances and community. Morgenstern recommends creating a “time map,” beginning when you awake and ending when you go to sleep. Typically created hour by hour, this kind of schedule allots specific spaces in your day for tending to those core areas. It serves as a foundation from which to work. It forces you to keep your life in balance and gives you the time you need to accomplish your goals. MORE TIME continued on 29

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2. Make lists Make Every Second Count: Time Management Tips and Techniques for More Success and Less Stress by Robert W. Bly Bly is a strong advocate for making lists. He credits his productivity to a series of lists he keeps on his computer. Bly maintains his most critical lists are daily to-dos, current work and long-term projects. You can also use paper to make your lists if you prefer. He even types his daily to-do list and then posts it on his wall by his workstation. From this list, he creates an hour-by-hour schedule. He revises his list every day. Bly also checks out his long-term projects about once a week. These aren’t urgent, but they help him reach long-term goals. He’ll usually put in a few hours each week on one of the projects that interests him.

3. Keep a calendar Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield Known as “America’s leading home management expert,” Schofield was writing about organization long before it became an industry. Schofield offers a common-sense approach to time management. Her advice is simple and doesn’t require a lot of money for ineffective products. She’s a proponent of keeping a calendar. The easiest way to organize your time is with your paper, online or phone calendar. Choose the system that works best for you. The most important action is to use your system every day. For your personal calendar, use pages that give you plenty of space to write, including monthly and daily sections. Add in personalized sections, such as items you need to purchase, birthdays, dinner menus and books you want to read. Always take your planner with you so you can add in important dates and reminders as they come up. Along with keeping a personal calendar, Schofield advises using a family calendar, one that is large and hung in a central location at your home. To keep the entire family well coordinated, mark down music lessons, game times, business trips and other activities that affect family members.

4. Set goals Wishcraft: How To Get What You Really Want by Barbara Sher First self-published in 1979, Wishcraft is considered a classic in self-help manuals. Similar to Schofield, Sher advocates always planning for tomorrow. By taking that action, you can focus on the actions needed to be taken for the next day and ensure you’re prepared for it. Sher is most encouraging about considering your “larger-than-life plan.” Don’t give up on your big dreams. It’s never too late to start. Put the next five years into a real time frame that you can see. Of course, you don’t know what will happen in reality. “But all of the forces that will be operating on your life over those years – chance and love and loss and luck, health and economics and history – your wish and will, your own unfolding, should be one of the strongest. And it can be,” Sher writes. Keep a simple sketch of the next five years on your “planning wall.” Writing your daily goals can give you that extra nudge to meet your deadlines because your long-range goals will remind you of all the adventures waiting for you – in the next year and beyond. Kim Seidel, writer and editor in Wisconsin, enjoys reading and writing about organization and time management techniques.

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The

Competitive College Application Process:

How to Help Your

Child be Accepted BY KIM SEIDEL

It's as competitive as never before to get into college. The slower summer months offer the perfect time for your incoming high school seniors to work on completing their college application. Then they will be ready to send a quality application into their top choices in the early to late fall. Encourage your student to have a competitive edge with his or her college application. There are several components: class rank/grade point average, high school curriculum, test scores, extracurricular activities, essays and recommendations. Each part and how the entire package is presented is important to stand out in the crowd. "I have read thousands of applications," says Kathryn C. Kiefer, director of admission for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She's been working in college admissions for 25 years. "Some applications are very long, and honestly, kind of boring. I really want to know more about the applicant and why they are interested in attending here. I want the student to take the time to write what they would like us to know about them that we cannot find on high school transcripts or with standardized test scores." Ideally, students have visited several institutions during their junior year, and have it narrowed down to about two to three places they would like to attend, Kiefer says. By your student's senior year, answering questions and writing essays on the application are the last things a student has control over. All University of Wisconsin System Campuses require students to submit The University of Wisconsin System Application for Admission (www.apply.wisconsin.edu). Its two main parts are the factual and the open-ended question sections. UW-La Crosse starts accepting college applications Sept. 15, and Kiefer reads them as they start coming in. "While every institution has varying deadlines for receiving applications, it's smart to apply early, find out which institutions you are admitted to, and then take some time to make the final decision about where to attend," Kiefer says. Make sure you and your child are aware of the deadlines and how each college he or she applies to handles the time line for receiving college applications.

2 Ensure accuracy of the facts Don't underestimate the significance of filling out the factual section. It may seem mundane, but each question is valuable and accuracy counts. That means accuracy in grammar and spelling, as well as the information provided. Encourage your student to read each question carefully to 30

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ensure he or she responds with the most accurate data possible. Kiefer is not surprised when she finds errors in this section, as she often discovers them. "It may or may not be held against the student," Kiefer says. "But, when we can only select one application for every four freshman that apply, any mistakes can work against a student." One consistent error that Kiefer finds is the wrong university listed as the school where the student is applying. Kiefer understand that this happens because a student typically applies to more than one university and uses much of the same information for each application. While the student is cutting and pasting words from one form to another, they forget to change the university's name on the current application. Again, this misstep may or may not be held against a student in the competitive college admissions process. When a tough decision needs to be made between two outstanding applications, however, the one with no mistakes may be chosen over the one with errors. It's best to take no chances and to carefully proofread each application before sending it, Kiefer says. Important to note: Encourage your student not to write any "text" language that teens use today to communicate on his or her computers and phones.

2 Share unique talents, qualities In the second section, the open-ended questions give students a great opportunity to show the university who they are on a personal level. Think of the factual section as just that, basic facts about the student. Now your child has the chance to "shine," so to speak, for the admissions officers. "The open-ended area can make or break a college application," Kiefer says. "Encourage your student to write quality statements and proofread them. And if your student allows, proofread it for them." Applications in the UW-System have three questions. First, he or she is asked to list extracurricular activities by priority and explain why he or she placed them in that order. Applicants can reveal in a compelling way why those involvements have been important to them in high school, Kiefer says. The second question asks the student what he or she can contribute to the university where he or she desires to attend. The applicant can write about special talents and qualities that would be an asset to the community, Kiefer says. APPLICATION continued on 31

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The third and last question is not the least important by far, asking the student if there is anything he or she would like to share. This question can be viewed as the chance to explain an area in the factual section. For example, one semester the student's grades dropped lower than usual for her overall record. Perhaps, the student missed a lot of school during that time because of illness. "Some students may think we may not notice those lower grades or other inconsistencies, but we will," Kiefer says. Other good ideas for the third question include: sharing how he overcame an adverse situation; whether she has a learning disability and how she handles it; or why he may not have participated in many extracurricular activities due to personal or family circumstances.

2 Test scores add up Test scores are another important part of the college application. Wisconsin is an "ACT dominated state," which means that most collegebound students in Wisconsin take the ACT instead of the SAT. However, the University of Wisconsin System institutions will accept either ACT or SAT scores for the applicants. The month of April in your child's junior year is the ideal time for him or her to take the ACT test, Kiefer says. It's often offered at the high school in which your student attends. Most students take the ACT test more than once. In Wisconsin, this does not put your child at a disadvantage. Most institutions will accept the student's highest composite ACT score when considering a student for admission. In addition to ACT scores, college admissions officers place a strong importance on the classes the student took in high school. While a student's grade point average is critical, the difficulty of the courses the student engaged in also matters in surveying the college application, including senior year.

"I understand that the immediate goal for many parents is to have their child graduate from high school," Kiefer says. "But taking college prep courses is very important. It's good for parents to realize that the strength and rigor of high school courses will help their student be successful at the college level. Admission is often more competitive than it was in the 70s and 80s, when most of these parents attended college and minimum coursework taken in high school was acceptable." College admission officers will look at the courses the student took and whether he challenged himself or herself with each passing semester during high school. The tougher the courses taken, the stronger the applicant will be in the admissions process. Kim Seidel is a Wisconsin-based writer with two daughters who will be college-bound in a few years.

Waukesha County Parks... Just Beyond Your Backyard!

Boat

Camp

Golf

Swim rve

Obse

Play Bike

Discover

Explore

Ice Skate Learn to Skate Program | Public Skate | Birthday Parties Adult Hockey Leagues | Youth Hockey Leagues

Public Skating Hours Eble Park - Brookfield Monday - Friday: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Saturday & Sunday: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

NEW

Naga-Waukee Park - Delafield Monday - Friday: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday & Sunday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Retzer Nature Center's "School" of the Land Programs Every Saturday 2012 Expo Center Events Just Between Friends

May 17 - 19

(Kids gear & clothing resale)

WI IL Cat Fancier Show Waukesha County Fair Waukesha Kennel Club Dog Show W I Highland Games WI Antique Dealers Fall Show

June 9 - 10 July 18 - 22 July 27 - 29 Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 Oct. 5-6

www.waukeshacountyexpo.com

For more information log onto

www.waukeshacountyparks.com MAGAZINE | SPRING 2012

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BY LISA GRANT

Prepare teens for the pressures to be faced in an environment where they will answer to no one but themselves. Talk about situations that might arise and how to handle them.

uring a recent trip to a youth convention, the movie “Home Alone” was shown on the bus. To my surprise, some of the kids had never seen the movie. When the mother realized she had left her child at home, and the phones were not working, a teen sitting behind me remarked, “Well, why doesn’t she just use her cell phone?” Today’s adolescents have grown up in an era of nearly constant communication. "They have been the most protected and programmed children ever - car seats and safety helmets, play groups and soccer COLLEGE continued on 33

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leagues, cell phones and e-mail," said Mark McCarthy, assistant vice president and dean of student development at Marquette University in Milwaukee. So, when the time comes for them to go off to college, many parents - and students - have a hard time letting go. This is often a result of a parenting style dubbed “helicopter parenting,” a tendency to stay so close to kids they never have to deal with a crisis on their own. The problem with micromanaging children’s lives becomes more evident when they leave home. "Many young adults entering college have the academic skills they will need to succeed but are somewhat lacking in life skills like self-reliance, sharing and conflict resolution," said Linda Walter, an administrator at Seton Hall University in New Jersey and co-chairwoman of the family portion of newstudent orientation.

4Letting go

You’re already dreading it . . . the day you have to drop Johnny or Susie off at college. You can’t bear to think of your child facing life without you there to make things better at the end of the day. The best thing you can do is to start the process of letting go now, and the sooner the better. Not only will the transition be less heartbreaking for you, but Johnny and Susie will also be better equipped to make responsible decisions. Start by letting your son or daughter take responsibility for choosing a college. You still provide guidance and wisdom, but let your teen to be in-charge of the process. Allow opportunities to make mistakes, and then demonstrate how to pick up the pieces and begin again. Instead of giving a “to do” list with a timeline, asking your teen “What if” or “Have you thought about how you’ll handle” questions is more productive for everyone.

4Reality check

If you’ve been blessed with a child who consistently gets straight A’s in high school, brace yourself. The academic world of college is very challenging, even for the best students. Not only is the work more difficult, students must also learn to be self disciplined in study habits. If you’ve been scouring your child’s homework planner on a daily basis, stop it now! Make your teen responsible for getting work done on time and studying for tests, and allow them to reap the consequences if they fail. A little pain now will prevent a big hurt later on.

Financial Planning Helps Manage Student Debt In an increasingly competitive global market, education is becoming more important. But many families find the cost of education to be outside their grasp. According to a study commissioned by the US Department of Education, from the 2001-02 to the 2010-11 academic year, the cost of attending a four-year undergraduate in-state school rose by 47.3 percent. With ever-increasing education expenses, many families are accumulating significant debt, putting students further behind. However, with planning and financial management, students can control their finances. Here are some tips for parents of soon-to-be college students. Start the conversation. Talk with other parents, teachers and guidance counselors about the cost of education. Make contact with the student financial aid offices of the colleges on your child’s list and get an accurate estimate of the cost of each institute. Most importantly, talk with your child. It is imperative your child learns the budgeting process as they will soon be managing their finances away from home. FINANCES continued on 34

COLLEGE continued on 34

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4Help your children find their calling When a child comes into the world, parents have so many hopes and dreams. Perhaps you envisioned your son being a professional football player, or maybe you hoped your daughter would become a prima ballerina? Your teen may or may not possess the abilities to carry out your dreams, and even if they do, they may not share your interest and passion. Help your child identify their talents and abilities, daydream about jobs that interest them, and then find careers where these things intersect.

4Communicate

Ideally, you’ve already been having conversations with your child about things like drugs, drinking and sex. This is not the time to stop. Prepare teens for the pressures to be faced in an environment where they will answer to no one but themselves. Talk about situations that might arise and how to handle them. Discuss physical health issues (exercising, eating right and getting enough rest), mental health (having good study habits), emotional health (creating a good support network) and spiritual health (connecting to a church or college ministry). It is okay to express your communication preferences before your graduate leaves for college, but understand your expectations may be unrealistic. Yes, we would all love to hear from our college student every day (or maybe several times a day, especially at first), but that’s not likely to happen. Don’t take it personally if your child doesn’t call you as often as you like. He or she is probably busy and only available during hours of the day you won’t be awake. You might also have a child who really doesn’t like to talk on the phone. Find the best way of communicating with your child, and try not to place additional pressure to do so more often.

4Support

Once your son or daughter is settled in at college, try to be available when needed. Accept that the first few months might be rocky, and your child may need some extra encouragement. “My dad told me that it was perfectly normal to feel out of place and unsure of myself at first. He said it could take months before I really started enjoying myself, but that it was necessary to keep putting myself out there so others could get to know me and I could get to know them,” says BreAnna Jenkins, graduate of Lawrence University. No one said letting go of our children would be easy. Unlike the mother in “Home Alone,” we have the advantage of preparing our kids for functioning alone in the real world, and when we worry, they will always be just a cell phone call away. Lisa Grant is a Wisconsin-based freelance writer who has successfully guided two of her three children through the transition to college.

“Many young adults entering college have the academic skills they will need to succeed but are somewhat lacking in life selfreliance, sharing and conflict resolution.” - Linda Walker Administrator, Seton Hall University, New Jersey 34

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FINANCES continued from 33

Set the budget and stick to it. Once you have a set budget, add wiggle room for other unforeseeable expenses. Make sure you set this budget realistically. Calculating the cost of pens and pencils may seem ludicrous, but if you’re on a tight budget, every expense counts. Get connected. Tracking your financial spending is easier than ever. From smart phone apps to free financial planning software, you can get an accurate financial report at any time. With research banks to determine which ones offer services to help, you can stay on top of your budget. Also, consider linking your banking account with your child’s, to easily transfer funds online. Make a plan. When taking on debt, it is important to have a plan for paying it off. Calculate the monthly payments and time it will take your child to pay off the debt. Research salary ranges for the field in which your child plans to pursue a career to understand the debt they can realistically carry. Find more information and calculators to help determine payment schedules and interest rates at www.direct.ed.gov. Do your research. Before taking out a student loan, look to other options, such as financial aid and scholarships. While some scholarships are awarded on academic merit, others are given based upon both academic performance and community service. Scholarships can be used to attend accredited universities, colleges and vocational schools, as long as they are pursuing their first post-secondary degree or diploma.

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Behind the Scenes Weekend at the Zoo

Milwaukee Art Museum Free with museum admission, 12 and under, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.mam.org (414) 224-3200

Family Sundays— Making Your Mark

Milwaukee County Zoo This event allows visitors access to areas not normally open to the public. All tours are free with regular admission. milwaukeezoo.org

4 Public Skating

Waukesha Public Library 10am – 12pm Children read stories to a dog and the dog loves listening. (Ages 4 - 10) (262) 524-3692.

Read to Rover at the Children's Library

Naga-Waukee Ice Arena 12 - 2 p.m. Eble Park Ice Arena 12 - 3 p.m. www.waukeshacounty.gov/parks

19 Public Skating

Naga-Waukee Ice Arena 12 - 2 p.m. Eble Park Ice Arena 12 - 3 p.m. www.waukeshacounty.gov/parks

12 Public Skating

Naga-Waukee Ice Arena 12 - 2 p.m. Eble Park Ice Arena 12 - 3 p.m. www.waukeshacounty.gov/parks

5 Chess Club for Kids!

Spring begins!

Waukesha Public Library Ongoing Tuesdays thru April 24 - Join us for our inaugural Chess Club. . Open play sessions qualify you for the in-house tournament on April 24. No registration required. (262) 5243692 www.waukesha.lib.wi.us..

929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Enjoy FREE Admission from 5 - 8 p.m. courtesy of US Bank and FOX 6 (414) 390-KIDS (5437)

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

Havenswoods State Forest Drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to play games, create crafts and discover cool stuff about nature! (414) 527-0232.

One Wild Saturday Morning!

Retzer Nature Center Ages: 4-6. A topic will be explored each session through stories, crafts and activities. 10 - 11 a.m./1 - 2 p.m. ($) Register by March 16 262 896-8007

Nature Sprouts

21 22 “Nature Sculptures” -

It is free for individuals and families (excluding groups) on the first Thursday of each month, thanks to Target. www.mam.org/visit (414) 224-3200.

First Stage Children's Theater Through March 31- Charlie Bucket's golden ticket is his passport into Willy Wonka's whimsical world of wacky wonders. (414) 273-7206

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Milwaukee 2 1 VisitArttheMuseum

Family Nature Hikes.

Central Library Betty Brinn Children’s Room Join First Stage for an interactive workshop. 10:30 a.m. (414) 286-3000 mpl.org.

Spider and a Fly Workshop

31Diary of a Worm, a

Havenswoods State Forest Drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to play games, create crafts and discover cool stuff about nature! (414) 527-0232

One Wild Saturday Morning!

Betty Brinn Children’s Room upbeat musical programs 10:30 a.m. mpl.org.

with David Laudau-Central Library

Music and 10Laughter for Kids

Havenswoods State Forest. Join a naturalist for a seasonal hike. (414) 527-0232.

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MARCH 25: WAFFLE DAY

CHIP DAY

MARCH 14: NATIONAL POTATO

3/9/12

FOOD DAY

MARCH 2: OLD STUFF DAY MARCH 3: NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY MARCH 6: NATIONAL FROZEN

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& Lunch 1 BreakfastBunny with the at the Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo Sponsored by Racine Danish Kringles - (March 31 also). Pre-registration is required, and bookings began online, or by calling (414) 256-5466.

Summer Programs

8 Have a Happy Easter! 15

Earth Day

Milwaukee Ballet School For children: ages 3-6 Creative Movement & Pre-Ballet: ages 5-8 Dance Camps and ages 7+ Student and Pre-Professional Division and Ballet Day Camp. milwaukeeballetschool.org (414) 643-7677.

22 On Earth Day, remember to appreciate nature and learn ways to protect our environment and keep the planet clean!

9 Spring Break Fun: Road Trip America!

Ever Wonder?

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Programs at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. through the April 13. Call for details (414) 390-KIDS (5437).

16 Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Sponsored by Brady Corporation Foundation - 2 p.m. • Age 3 and older. (414) 390-KIDS (5437)

Think Summer Camps! Sign up today!

Appy Orse Acres appyorseacres.com (262) 692-9144 Camp Anokijig - 1-800-741-6931 Hoofbeat Ridge www.hoofbeat.org.

3 Stories Alive for 3-5s

Children's Library Waukesha Public Library 9:30 – 10:00a.m., children should be 3 years of age by first session to participate. No registration required. (262) 524-3692 www.waukesha.lib.wi.us.

10 Stories Alive for 3-5s

Waukesha Public Library 10:30-11:00am, For details, call (262) 524-3692 or www.waukesha.lib.wi.us.

Alive 24 Stories for 3-5s Children's Library Waukesha Public Library 10:30 – 11:00a.m. children should be 3 years of age by first session to participate. No registration required. (262) 524-3692 www.waukesha.lib.wi.us.

Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum

Children's Library Waukesha Public Library 1:30 – 2:00pm, Celebrate the end of the week with storytime! Optimum ages 3-5 years, but all ages are welcome. No registration is required. www.waukesha.lib.wi.us

6 TGIF Storybreak

Helping Hands Healing Hooves 2012 Sessions Spring 2 Starts April 23-June 9 Summer Session Starts June 18Aug 25

Milwaukee Art Museum It is free for individuals and families (excluding groups) on the first Thursday of each month, thanks to Target. www.mam.org visit or (414) 224-3200.

Pre-School Pop-In

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum 10:30 a.m. - Ages 3 – 5. Pre-schoolers participate in music, movement and visual art activities. (414) 390-KIDS (5437).

of a 13 Diary Worm, a Spider and a Fly First Stage Children's Theater A masterful fusion of excitement and education, this adventure is as delightfully absurd and joyously playful as the wildly popular book series. (414) 273-7206

Arbor Day

African Dance

7 Read to Rover

Zablocki Library 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave Read/Words four week program sign up form on line. Sign up two weeks prior to event. For details, http://www.mpl.org/file/kids_rover app.htm

Spring Fishing Clinics for Children

Free fishing instruction for children 15 years and younger starting every hour - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call (414) 263-8614 or visit http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/

21 One Wild Saturday Morning!

Havenswoods State Forest Drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to play games, create crafts and discover cool stuff about nature! (414) 527-0232.

Betty Brinn Museum

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Ages 2 and older. Bring on the beat and move your feet! (414) 390-KIDS (5437)

Earth Day 28 NatureFest

929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Enjoy FREE Admission from 5 - 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month, courtesy of US Bank and FOX 6 (414) 390-KIDS (5437)

the Earth!” 18“Inside Nature Sprouts

Retzer Nature Center Ages: 4-6 - Come join the fun! A Topic will be explored each session through stories, crafts and activities. 10 - 11 a.m./1 - 2 p.m. ($) Register by April 13 (262) 896-8007

Celebrate Arbor Day in a personal way by planting a tree yourself.

April 17: National Cheeseball Day April 24: National Pigs In A Blanket Day April 30: National Honesty Day

Havenwoods State Forest Celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree, making crafts from recyclables, taking a hike and discovering how you can take care of our home. 10 am to 2 pm. (414) 527-0232.

April 1: One Cent Day April 7: No Housework Day April 13: Blame Somebody Else Day

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Old World Wisconsin, Eagle www.oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6300.

Rituals of Spring: Memorials & Remembrances

Milwaukee Art Museum Celebrate art inspired by the world around us from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Free with Museum admission (12 and under). www.mam.org.

Sundays: Water, Earth and Sky

Kohl's Art 20Generation Family

Share in Mom’s Day with a trip to the Zoo! All mothers receive free admission. www.milwaukeezoo.org.

Milwaukee County Zoo

13 Mother's Day -

Hales Corners www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org .

Pewaukee An inspirational Memorial Day ceremony offers attractions for the whole family. 10:30 a.m. www.veteransbelltower.com (262) 691-9400.

Veterans Memorial Ceremony and Festival

7 Stories Alive for 3-5s

Storytimes

Havenswood State Forest Parent and preschooler (3-5) storytimes. Join a naturalist for stories, activities and crafts. (414) 527-0232.

Children's Library Waukesha Public Library 9:30 – 10:00a.m. Children should be 3 years of age by first session to participate. No registration required. www.waukesha.lib.wi.us (262) 524-3692.

Nature Sprouts

Frame Park, Waukesha Free water ski show filled with chorus lines, fast paced barefoot waterskiing, ariel jump acts and pyramids built on the water. www.badgerland.org (414) 372-1754.

Badgerland 30 Water Ski Show

Retzer Nature Center Ages: 4-6 Come join the fun! A new topic will be explored each session. Either session 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. ($) Register by May 11.

16 “Crazy Critters” -

(Free Event)

Water Ski Show

Lakefront Park, Pewaukee Enjoy great family entertainment with a free water ski show. Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Club. (262) 350-8713 www.pewaukee.waterski.org.

31Pewaukee Lake

Wisconsin Humane Society (Ages 2-4) 10:30 a.m. Animalrelated books will be read & followed by activities with an opportunity to meet an animal. RSVP required. (414) 431-6159.

17 Tails and Tales

It is free for individuals and families (excluding groups) on the first Thursday of each month, thanks to Target. www.mam.org (414) 224-3200.

Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Family Nature Hikes

Special Exhibit Through September 3. Summer exhibit takes visitors on a prehistoric adventure to uncover many of the dynamic species of dinosaurs that inhabited our land 150 million years ago. Exhibit cost is $2.50. www.milwaukeezoo.org.

Dinosaur 26Milwaukee County Zoo

Adventure

Havenswoods State Forest Drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to play games, create crafts and discover cool stuff about nature! (414) 527-0232.

One Wild Saturday Morning!

Havenwoods State Forest Drop in to try out a simple outdoor nature activity! 9 am - 12 p.m. These activities are for everyone. (414) 527-0232..

Discovery Saturday

Havenswoods State Forest Join a naturalist for a seasonal hike. (414) 527-0232.

May 25: National Tap Dance Day May 28: National Hamburger Day May 31: National Macaroon Day

(May 17-20) Waukesha County Expo - Waukesha (262) 896-8490.

Just Between Friends Children's Resale

12:19 PM

Art at the Gardens Craft Fair

Stories Alive for 3-5s

1: Mother Goose Day 10: Clean Up Your Room Day 13: Mother’s Day 15: National Chocolate Chip Day

3/9/12

Children's Library Waukesha Public Library 9:30 – 10:00a.m. Children should be 3 years of age by first session to participate. No registration required. (262) 524-3692 www.waukesha.lib.wi.us.

May May May May

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fast. afford affordable. dable. convenient.

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Brookﬁeld Inside Brookﬁeld Square 95 N. Moorland Road | 262-786-9037

Greendale Inside Southridge Mall near Old Navy 5300 S. 76th Street | 414-423-5538

Kenosha Inside Piggly Wiggly 2801 14th Place | 262-553-9325

Mukwonago Inside Walmart Supercenter 250 E. Wolf Run | 262-363-4751 It is often hard to ﬁt in a doctor’ doctor’ss appointm appointment ment around soccer schedules and dance lessons. Fortunately for f busy moms, you don’ don’tt

Pewaukee

need an appoi pp ntment at Aurora QuickCare e. W e’re open p when you y appointment QuickCare. We’re

Inside Walmart 411 Pewaukee Road | 262-695-4439

need us – to diagnose and treat your minor medical emergencies, with a prescrip prescription ption if necessar necessary ry – and get you y back to your busy schedule. From m ear infections and pink eye e to sore throats and minor rashes, Aurora A QuickCare is for fam ilies on the go. families

For a complete list of services, hours and locations, visit Aurora.org/QuickCare.

Get ready fo for or summer camp and sports s spo seasons by having yourr camp and sports physicals physica completed at an Aurora QuickCare. Q Mon. – Fri. | 10 0 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. S | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

3PECIAL PRICE n s -AY THROUGH 3EPTEMBER 3PECIAL PRICE E n s -AY THROUG GH 3 Patients must be 9 years y or older to receive camp/sports physicals. phys Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotions.

$10 of ooff ff ofo your visit

Exxpires Expires December De ecemb 31, 2013

One coupon per peer person per visit. Does not include screenings sccreeni and vaccines. Not valid v insuran nce that th may with other promotions or insurance be accepted byy Aurora QuickCare.

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